Skilled dairy farmer’s top pedigree gets confirmation
A PEDIGREE dairy farmer has received a prestigious award at a major industry show.
Jimmy Wilson, from the Tregibby Herd in Ceredigion, became the 2018 recipient of the John Dennison Lifetime Achievement Award at Harrison & Hetherington’s Borderway UK Dairy Expo.
A past president of the Holstein Association, Mr Wilson received the award for his lifetime’s commitment to the dairy industry and his breeding success.
Now in its sixth year, the John Dennison Lifetime Achievement Award is presented in memory of skilled dairy farmer John Dennison, of Scales Park Farm, Ulverston, who was a highly regarded breeder of Denmire Holsteins.
It is personally awarded by the Dennison family to an individual who has made a major contribution to the dairy industry.
Announcing this year’s winner, Glyn Lucas, of Harrison & Hetherington, said: “The Wilson family are an integral part of the UK pedigree industry, whether showing Holstein or Jersey cattle, and Jimmy has been an inspiration to many a young passionate dairyman over the years.
“He is a big man, with a big heart; he supports Wales in the rugby, which he cannot help, and is a fitting winner of the John Dennison award.”
Mr Wilson has spent a lifetime dairy farming and is a fellow of the Royal Agricultural Society in Wales for his work on the longevity of Holsteins.
Following in his father’s footsteps, he took over a commercial herd of British Friesians and quickly graded them up to full pedigree status.
Achieving pedigree gave him an effective measuring tool. As a result, the confirmation of his herd quickly improved and the show ring became a familiar sight – as did winning.
The move to Holsteins came in the late 1960s when Holstein AI bulls were introduced.
Mr Wilson went on to win Grand Champion at the Royal Show, Royal Welsh Show, Dairy Event, Welsh Dairy Show and Celtic Showcase.
In 2011 he won the Holstein UK Premier Pedigree Herd Competition.
Mr Wilson and his wife Angela handed over the reins to their son Hefyn and wife Fiona, who were also showing at the Borderway UK Dairy Expo 2018. Mr Wilson’s other son, Arwyn, is also involved in the business.